January 2009 : Volume 9 - Issue 4

From the editors at Hixnews.com:
Of all the years you've known,
may this one be the best,
filled with all the special things
that make you happiest.

Dear Readers,

Please make sure that This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. are on your safe list. Announcements and welcome letters are being returned with 'not accepting' as the explanation by several ISP's; most notably AOL.com.

Thank you,
Your Editors

 

---

Dear readers,

We still have hundreds of names without a state of residence. No we don't mean nursing homes, just HX, L.I. (other towns besides Hicksville), NYC, NY (places other than L.I.), FL, Germany - you get the idea. We don't need your snail mail address because we can't afford the postage. ;)This is used when compiling annual statistics.

Thanks for your cooperation.
HixNews Editors, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

---

Dear Alumni

We had many nominations for the Hicksville High School Newsletter Hall of Fame during the past year. Two former students in particular distinguished themselves above and beyond and have been inducted into our Hall of Fame.

Joe Ingino from the class of 1967 has spent much of his life after Vietnam in support of former Vietnam Veterans. His dedication is unparalleled and this despite suffering from exposure to agent orange that caused a cancer. Joe was successful in his fight to beat the dreaded disease.

Robert Thurer's credentials in the medical profession reach unprecedented levels.

He was educated at Dartmouth College and Medical School and received his MD degree from Harvard Medical School.

Read more about Dr. Thurer, a graduate from the class of 1963, and Joe Ingino on the Hall of Fame Page.

---

Class of 1961 Reunion in Everglades City, Florida

We are planning a Florida Reunion on Saturday, March 7, 2009 in Historic Everglades City near Everglades National Park. It is located between Naples and Ft. Lauderdale. Due to the location and limited space we must limit the reunion to the Class of 1961 plus spouse or guest. We are planning on a lunch and time to visit and catch-up after! Details will be sent to those interested in Jan.If interested contact by Jan.5, 2009. Doris Fischman Roth This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bonnie Scharr Papes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

So far we have heard from:

• Bonnie Scharr Papes
• Doris Fischman Roth
• Michael Rosenwasser
• Shelly Heyman Baron
• Lorraine Martello Vito
• Ro Marchese Genovese and Tony Genovese
• Roberta Martello
• Carolyn 'Clem' Baldwin Moors
• Carol Snyder Ferguson
• Gerald 'Jerry' Bair
• Carol Makowski Kinney

---

For all you HHS grads in FL (and there are a lot of us)

Billy Joel and Elton John will be in Florida in March. On March 2, 2009 they will perform in Jacksonville at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena and on March 5, 2009 they will be in Tampa at the St. Pete Times Forum.

For a list of other concerts see: http://toptickets.us/ResultsEvent.aspx?event=Elton+John+%26+Billy+Joel

---

Frequently asked Question: 'Why doesn't the HixNews publish email addresses?'

Answer: Our policy is to treat email addresses the same way that the phone co.'treats unlisted phone numbers. Since we get about 70K hits each month, we do'not publish email addresses unless specifically asked to do so. With all'the scams and spams going on, we try to protect our readers' privacy.If you're looking for someone and the name is on our list, send us a message here at Hixnews. Your message is'sent to your old friend who can get back to you. If not, then your request is put on the People Looking for'''''..'list.''Many people have reconnected thru HixNews.

---

Late addition: Hicksville Historical Society News

2009 begins with their annual Winter Social on Sunday, January 25th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Gregory Museum. The program will be a true social, as the Society wants YOU to come up and discuss "your history with Hicksville!" Free refreshments served. All who attend also have free admission to the Gregory Museum. A good chance to see the museum, discuss Hicksville History, and meet the Society members! For more information call (516) 796-3826 or write This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

---

The following was sent to me by the widow of my dear, late friend, Jeff David. I knew Jeff for nearly 30 years. He always treated me like a younger brother, but with respect. His passing, this past spring, was very sudden and ended a life much too early.

If there was any that you needed and it was in his power to grant, it was done.We shared many great evenings out at Shea watching our beloved Mets. In the off season, we would analyze the team, their successes and failures. Who needed to stay and who needed to go. An what about their latest acquisition? These talks sometimes got quite heated. I miss them and I miss him.If you have the time, do try to tune in this coming Sunday night. You will hear one of the best voices ever, doing one of the things he loved most. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

David Teitel, '68

Hi everyone,

This is the last recording Jeff did. He had a lot of fun doing it, as it was the sort of thing he loved to do. I thought it had probably been aired & they just forgot to let me know, but I got this today. I am very touched that they are dedicating the broadcast to Jeff. You can go to their website to see if it will be aired locally (for those of you who don't live in NYC), otherwise you will have 2 weeks to listen to it on the website (after Jan. 4) if you are interested.

Love

The Gotham Radio Players are pleased to announce the premiere broadcast of a recreation of a lost 1943 episode from the Peabody award-winning series THE MAN BEHIND THE GUN.

One of the most acclaimed wartime series from the golden age of radio, THE MAN BEHIND THE GUN was "dedicated to the fighting men of the United States and the United Nations -- broadcast in the hope that these authentic accounts of men at war will bring to all a better understanding and deeper appreciation of the job being done by our fighting forces everywhere in the world". Each dramatic episode, fictional but based on actual events, told the very human story of a man (or woman) in one of the branches of the armed services. Our episode tells the story of Wally, sound man, aboard the "Coast Guard Cutter Spencer".

A central character in The MAN BEHIND THE GUN series was the voice of the narrator, played in the original series by Jackson Beck. For our production, the Gotham Radio Players were very lucky to have radio and television veteran Jeff David step into this role. In recent years Jeff had become a favorite performer at the Friends of Old-Time Radio Convention, with his memorable performances in many recreations there. Unfortunately Jeff passed away shortly after recording this show with us. He was a natural for the role of the narrator, a generous and talented performer, and it was both a pleasure and an honor for us to have him as a member of our cast. Our production is dedicated to his memory.

You can hear THE MAN BEHIND THE GUN this Sunday on:

"The Golden Age of Radio"
Sunday, January 4
7:00 PM (Eastern)
WBAI, 99.5 FM in the NYC area
Worldwide over the Internet at http://www.wbai.org/

You will also be able to listen to an archive of the broadcast at WBAI's website for about 2 weeks afterwards.

So mark your calendars, and don't forget to tune us in live this coming Sunday at 7:00 PM (eastern), for the lost MAN BEHIND THE GUN episode "Coast Guard Cutter Spencer".

Steve Lewis (a.k.a. Steven M. Lewis), director, Gotham Radio Players

The mission of the Gotham Radio Players is to bring new productions of classic radio programs of the 1930's, 40's and 50's to the airwaves of today, as well as showcase original scripts written by emerging audio dramatists. The Gotham Radio Players are featured regularly in live performances on WBAI-FM, which are rebroadcast on other radio stations across the country, and can be heard worldwide via the Internet. We also appear annually at the "Friends of Old Time Radio" Convention, and at other performances in the NYC metropolitan area.

People looking for People

If there's someone you're looking for, just send your request and we'll be happy to add it to the list. If anyone knows these folks, send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

---

The Newsletter

Hello,

I just awoke this morning, having had a dream about a little girl with pigtails with whom I was friends in elementary school. Her name was Judith Frimmer and we went to P.S. 79 in the Bronx. She lived on Creston Avenue.

I Googled her name and it led me to this site where I see she submitted an item earlier this year.

Would you mind forwarding this message to Judith and letting her know that she's thought of fondly by someone from the old neighborhood.

Thanks very much,
Louis Pike

The message was forwarded to Judy.
Ed.

---

I do not know if the bakery subject has been exhausted, but I recall a bakery in the "A&P" strip shopping center on Old Country Road across from OCR elementary school. Do I win a complimentary seven layer cake if this one hasn't been named yet?

Ken Marcus '67

From: Bob Casale - Don't remember a bakery in that shopping center. I do remember the Capri Restaurant that was owned, I think, by Joy Gannotti's family. Joy graduated in 1959 with my sister, Eileen, Chris Heidt and Ronni Gardner.

and, also, your complimentary cake

---

RE: http://community.webshots.com/user/Koziuk

You are so fortunate to have your old family albums. I don't know whatever happened to mine. Somewhere in our moves, they disappeared and I often wish that they would turn up. Wishing for a miracle.

I had a laugh looking at the old pix of Hicksville. If I were to go there now, I may as well be on the moon as everything seems to be changed so much. I see the old movie theater is now a church. I remember that on each side of the entrance was a doorway that led upstairs. On one side there was a clothing manufacturer and on the other side there were offices. I worked in one of the offices; it was a collection agency and was my very first office job. The firehouse was directly across the street and at noon they would sound the siren and I would leap a foot off the chair. I knew it was coming but it caught me by surprise every day.

Someday, I'll take a trip down there and take a look for myself. There are some people who are giving me the hint that it's a trip that's long overdue, so maybe soon.

Pat (McCarthy) Schwalbach, -56

---

The home on the NE corner of Kolmer and Princess was owned by the Gish family, the SE corner was owned by the Ryberg family, I hope that helps.

Fred Heck, -70

---

I look forward to finding Hixnews in my mailbox each month. The December issue was especially poignant, with the sad news about the untimely death of Nicky Larkin and the nice reprise of Hicksville history by his brother Tom. Having been away from the Island for many years, I especially appreciated the photos of Broadway. It was amazing to see how little the buildings had changed from what I remembered (even though many now house new businesses). The Church of Christ, at 105 Broadway, where Nicky, Tom, and I were members of the Youth Group, has received quite a facelift, though the building-s lines are still easily identifiable.

Tom, like you I am a history buff. About a year ago we finally got around to starting a historical society in the small but historic Virginia community where I now live. We have a somewhat eclectic website, on which have been posted a number of things I-ve written about the history of West Point. If anyone is interested, the address is www.hswpva.org. The enclosed photos are, I suppose, somewhat historical as well.

Bill Palmer (Class of -64)
West Point, VA

---

Loved the December issue. Enjoyed seeing the photo of Bahrenburg's Bakery; later sold to Englerts as awning on store shows. The Sweet Shop as we knew it next door to the bakery and I had forgotten all about Rogers 5 & 10! The doorway between Sweet Shop and 5 & 10 led upstairs to Seaman and Eisemann's insurance agency. They later located on the east side of Broadway next to Schwartz furniture store in their own building (now demolished) and the Town of Oyster Bay is building a youth recreational building on that plot of land.

The Sign-A-Rama building was also the location of Mr. Curt Unverhau's drug store. Elsbeth Unverhau Creutz was his daughter and one of my best friends is Karin Creutz Weyer, Mr. Unverhau's grandaughter. Elsbeth was an HHS graduate and Karin and I graduated in 1954. Her sister Janet Creutz Anderson graduated in 1955.

Dr. Elwood Curtis, the dentist, had his office above the drug store. Dr. Curtis had prize roosters he used to "show" at the Mineola Fair. Funny, how you don't forget some things. Curtis' home on W. Cherry Street became a restaurant for several years. Not sure what is there now as I don't get down that way much. Mostly Broadway area.

Huettner-s Furniture store moved diagonally across from Unverhau's and became a department store on the south side of Marie Street (across from Bahrenburg's) which would be to the "camera-s" left. After the widening of Broadway, the block from Marie Street to Nicholai Street remains void of buildings as it once was.

As I'm writing this, I just thought of the newspaper store on the corner of Broadway and the south side of E. Marie Street - BRESNICKS. Arnold Bresnick was in my class. Name just came to me. They say it is the short term memory that goes first!

Ellen (Boos) Bruwer, -54

---

Hi guys, you are doing a great job with the HixNews. I love getting it in my inbox. One of the few messages I actually read. One letter in this last December 2008 issue referred to comments by Mr. Arnold & Mr. Buttice, my old music teachers. But I couldn't find said comments anywhere and would surely like to read what they have to say. Am glad that they are still alive. Could you send me the page or issue that contains their comments? I have deleted these issues after I read them and cannot look back to find them. Thanks so much. You have a good holiday season and keep up your good work!

Stephanie (Schlegel) Manning, HHS 1968
Davis, California

---

Please add me to your email list for your newsletter. Kathy Richards Dernoga, class of 1972. I live in PA. Date of birth October 16. Husband, Michael. Thank you.

I also noticed that someone is looking for Bobby Becker, class of 1972. He still lives in Hicksville, 100 Underhill Ave. I don't know an email address or telephone number. He may also be a member of the Hicksville Fire Department.

Kathy Dernoga
Interiors by Kathy
www.interiorsbykathy.com

---

I enjoy the newsletter every month. It brings back so many good memories and also helps me remember things I forgot when I read the stories and see the pictures. As soon as I get my scanner working again I will send the fifth grade class picture I had from fifth grade at Old Country Road School. I also have, as soon as I remember where I put it, the 1961 Senior Class Picture from our Washington DC. That year we broke it up into two trips. We stayed on a boat, but for some reason I can't remember all the details. If someone has a good memory of that trip it would be good to hear some details to jog my memory. Some of the people on my trip were Art Clemenz, Peggy Giles.

One quick story that always sticks out in my mind: One day I wore a white shirt, white pants, white bucks and a black belt to school. Everybody called me the Good Humor Man that day. You know I didn't wear those clothes anymore.

Thanks again for all you do and for continuing the hard work to make this happen every month.

Bill Canham Class of 1961

[New reader] Heather (Donlon) Kaley. Heather didn't graduate from HHS, but she lived in Hicksville all her life until she moved to Florida a couple of years ago. Heather is my niece and my sister, her mother Martha (Canham) Donlon, -56 and father William Donlon both graduated from Hicksville, but both her parents have passed away.

Thanks
Bill Canham, -61

---

My name is Mitchell Egan, graduated 1960 from Hicksville High, presently living in SR, CA beautiful wine country. I would like to try and find Neil Lensky 1960 and Robert Nadell 1960. Also, great work on the newsletter to all of you. [I-m] ready for the 50th.

Thanks,
Mitch Egan

By this time Mitch and Robert should have reconnected.
Ed.

---

Though you might like to know the approximate date of the bank mural photo. It is late spring or early summer of 1910. The Linden tree is in bloom and the car license plate is from 1910. I collect license plates and have one of these.

Carl Probst, 1959

New service in today's Newsday with a link that I will include here. May be a useful link from Hixnews. Carl Probst, 1959

http://www.longislandindexmaps.org/

---

I was reading about the tornado - someone thought it was on New Bridge Road. Well, it might have come that way, but it sure did hit the Carvel store and Dr. Berkowitz place. I know, I went thru it about 1 minute before it hit!

Kathy (Koziuk) Hannaman, -60.

---

Re: Matt Brucker's ride for MS

Dear Matt,

Thank you for your letter in the Hixnews Newsletter. I appreciate you riding for Multiple Sclerosis back east. I have MS and contribute and raise funds for the Walk for MS each April out here in Tacoma, WA.

Thanks again for your support,
Chet Nichols ('58)

---

My 3 daughters Lisa, Laura, Leslie, their husbands, and my 7 extremely adorable grandchildren

---

Thank you very much. I can not tell you how much I enjoy the news letter. It has already put me in touch with an old friend, and college fraternity brother, from Nassau Community College days, Santo Carfora. I enjoy the letters, and recognizing some of the names of some of the cheer leaders from the football days of 62-63, though I rode the bench most of the time from injuries. (Gave me more opportunities to make friends with the girls, and get in trouble with Coach Grantham....Hi to Cathy Cassidy, Barbara Philips and Nancy Englert, my favorites at the time).

You guys revive my long time memory, for which I used to depend on my old friend Larry Trubinski, rest his soul. God Bless and Happy Holidays to all my HHS bretheren. The picture is me, my youngest, who's 21 now and my 3 year old grand daughter by my other daughter.

Joe Platania, '63

To Mike Regan and the rest of the 3d MARDIV;

I want to say Thank You Mike. It-s a long time over due I suppose. I was stationed in the MAC V compound in HUE, Viet Nam during the '68 TET Offensive. It was you and the rest of the 3D that came to our rescue and relief. When those tanks roled in and the ANTOS tracked vehicles rumbled along the street, it was a sweet sound for this Army Lt and his Signals outfit isolated and surrounded in the compound. Your Physics is a bit heady for a History Major, but your valor and service does an old man's heart good. And to know a Hicksville Grad came to my rescue, makes it even better,

Joe Platania '63

---

Recently, Hicksville High School graduates Joe Ingino, 67 (left, President of Nassau County Chapter#82 of Vietnam Veterans of America) and Bill Walden (right, Commander of the Hicksville Veterans of Foreign Wars) met New York Congressman Steve Israel at the Air Power Museum in Farmingdale. They were there to hear Congressman Israel speak about veterans benefits.

Keep up the good work. Respectfully submitted,
Bill Walden, 65

---

Hi...

This is Lois (Levy) Calame. I would love to get e-mails of the Hicksville High -Newsletter.
Not much time right now to tell you much about me. I live in Merrick with my two cats, Harry and Delia.
Have been married twice, divorced the first time and widowed 9 years ago.
I have three children, -Donald, a published author and producer, screen writer.
Robert, an artist and Camille, a social worker who blessed me with three beautiful grandchildren.
I am retired and don't have time right now to go into the many things I have been doing.

-Lois

---

Hi Bob:

Thanks for the E-mail. I am a periodic visitor to Hixnews.com and I always enjoy it. It would be great if you would E-mail me when you do the newsletter updates. I am attaching an update of my Classmates bio and would appreciate notification of when you publish it.

By the way, those photos of your family, Hicksville then and now, and those old class pictures you post in Classmates are fab, keep up the good work!

I understand that there has been some though among alumni to display the names of alumni Vietnam War vets in the vicinity of the plaques bearing the names of WWI & WWII veteran alumni in front of the old high school, then middle school building on Jerusalem Avenue. Did that ever become a reality?

After graduating Hicksville High School, I attended Hofstra University, graduating with a BA in Biology and a commission as a 2nd Lt in the US Army. I served eight years in the Army, including two tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. I left the Army to go into law enforcement. I spent the following 28 years as a criminal investigator in the Bureau of Veterans Affairs and in the US Department of Commerce. In 1999, I retired with 36 years service to the US government.

Since retiring, I have been a substitute teacher and have earned a Massachusetts Educator's License to teach high school Biology. I like to garden, train dogs, and in the summer, I am a docent, volunteer teacher, at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, in Providence, RI.

My wife, Hope, and I have been married for over 43 years. We have a son, a daughter and five grandchildren. We live in Dartmouth, MA, our home situated on an acre yard. I'd love to hear from people with whom I went to high school.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you and your family.

Your friend,
Steve Alfieri, -60

---

Hi, especially to the class of '56!

Have just finished shooting a comedy clip called "Old People News," (OPN)! You can catch me as "Lorna Ludwig," Home & Health Reporter, reporting on the wondrous benefits of Peroxide! For those of you that remember the radio show, "Let's Pretend," Arthur Anderson, the gentleman playing the male anchor, worked on "Let's Pretend" from the age of 12 until he was a soldier in WWII!

Go to: Old People News Atom.com: Funny Videos | Other | Funny Animations 

Here's wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year!

Harri Molese, Class of 1956

---

How exciting to find a WEB site devoted exclusively to Hicksville High School Alumni.

I am a 1960 graduate from Hicksville High. I then attended California Polytechnic College, which is now California State Polytechnic University. I majored in applied mathematics and minored in physics. I graduated in 1965 with a BS, received a commission as a 2LT from ROTC, and entered the service in August of 1965. I spent a year in military schools and at my first duty station at The Red River Army Depot. I was assigned to a specialized Ordnance Company that was to move to central Germany and support our NATO forces in the cold war. After eighteen months with the Ordnance Company I was reassigned to a General Staff position with the Deputy Chief of Staff for logistics, Hqs US Army Europe, in Heidelberg Germany. I rotated back to the states in July of 1969 and separated from the Army back into civilian life. I was married at the time to a woman whose roots were back in Texas, so back to Texas we went, and have been here ever since.

I have been in the "Computer Business" since 1969. I am currently working for an IBM mainframe outsourcing company and work with their Direct Marketing Services group. I process mailing lists for various clients who mail mostly catalogs.

I am part of a group of Hicksville High graduates(John Goodell, John Hannon, Pete Wells, Jim Edwardson, Peter Henneberger, Robert Oehler, Bill Allen, and yours truly Ron Rocek) who have stayed in touch with each other and meet every three years. We will be meeting again next fall here in Dallas. The group, until recently, was made up of eight HHS graduates. We are now one short as Jim Edwardson was killed in a general aviation accident a couple of years ago.

I didn't see a visitor-s directory where we can contact old acquaintances via email.

Thank you for your efforts.
Ron Rocek, -60

PS. Bob Casale, my folks bought your house on 14 Edgewood Dr in the late 60's.

---

Holidays should be a joyous time but for some who have lost spouses like myself or loved ones it can be a difficult time. Thank heavens for family because with all the love our families and friends give us it helps from feeling lonely! Memories help and so do seeing our grandchildren's joy. I celebrate Hanukah and Christmas having one son-in-law that is Italian. Hanukah and Christmas to me means seeing my family together and enjoying one another. My best friend, my Puggle Noah reminds me of the simple things in life we sometimes forget about. May our New Year bring us a better year for all with health, happiness, a better economic future for all!

Warmest Regards,
Shelly Baron (Heyman) from Naples, Florida, -61

---

Hi Bob,

I received your message, and would love getting your newsletter. I got married to my high school sweetheart soon after graduation. We have three children: 42, 40 and 36, and five grandchildren; 18, 11, 9, 2 1/2 and 3 mos. I worked as a medical office manager and my husband was a Long Island Railroad Engineer.

We are both retired now and we live in Las Vegas and love it. Our two daughters live here, our oldest with her husband and our youngest along with her husband and three girls. We've been out here almost twelve years. We go back to NY generally once a year, our son, his wife and two children are still on Long Island along with other family and many friends. We keep ourselves busy with our grandchildren, volunteer work and going out to shows, spending time with friends, going out to dinner, and other Vegas activities.
I will look forward to hearing from you and maybe other classmates too!!

Karen Paris (O'dell) 1964

---

This was the first I have heard about the newsletter. Please include me.

After high school I went to Mercy Hospital in Rockville Center for school to become a Radiological Technologist. After graduation, I worked at Central General Hospital in Plainview. But my love of the beach became more important. I moved to Sarasota, Florida and worked for a group of Radiologist's. I loved being near the gulf. I met my husband on Venice beach. After 35 years of Florida and being to close to Hurricane Charlie we moved to Winston Salem, North Carolina. I forgot how much I enjoyed the change of seasons.

Keep up the good work and thanks for the memories

Shelley Grether Evans, Class of 1965

---

Thanks for posting the Photo Album on Classmates.com of "Downtown Hicksville 1966".....I hadn't looked at it before! Sure brings back memories!

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO ON HIX NEWS!

Jim Rubins '67

Photo Gallery

I found this picture of Sears in the 1960's on the internet and thought I should share it.

Bill Hackmack "66"

New reader this month, Gerald Bair class of 1961, lives in Miami, Florida.

 

 

 

Views of LIRR impact around Broadway and Newbridge Road

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries

New Readers & Returns

Honoring our Veterans

And for you, may the worst of 2009 be better than your best from 2008!

Eric Ken Shinseki: Nominee For 7th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

A short introduction to a man who just might help the veterans' community, with info thanks to President-elect Barack Obama's website Change Dot Gov and Wikipedia.

Eric Ken Shinseki

Born in Hawaii to a Japanese-American family, Eric Shinseki graduated from West Point in 1965. He went on to serve in the Army for 38 years, from 1965 to 2003, including two combat tours in Vietnam, where he lost part of his right foot. He served as Chief of Staff of the Army from 1999-2003. His career has been marked by innovation, vision, and fierce loyalty to the troops who served under him. He is the recipient of numerous decorations, including: Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster); Navy Distinguished Service Medal; Air Force Distinguished Service Medal; Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster); Bronze Star with "V" Device (with two Oak Leaf Clusters); Purple Heart (with Oak Leaf Cluster); Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters); Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Achievement Medal; Parachutist Badge; Ranger Tab; Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge; Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

Shinseki was born in Lihue, Kauai in the then Territory of Hawaii, to a Japanese American family. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant. He earned a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from Duke University. He was also educated at the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

Shinseki served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the Continental United States and overseas, including two combat tours with the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions in the Republic of Vietnam as an artillery forward observer and as commander of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment. During one of those tours, he stepped on a land mine, which blew off the front of one of his feet.

He has served at Schofield Barracks, Hawai'i with Headquarters, United States Army Hawaii, and Fort Shafter with Headquarters, United States Army Pacific. He has taught at the U.S. Military Academy's Department of English. During duty with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas, he served as the regimental adjutant and as the executive officer of its 1st Squadron.

Shinseki's ten-plus years of service in Europe included assignments as Commander, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3rd Infantry Division (Schweinfurt); Commander, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Kitzingen); Assistant Chief of Staff, G3, 3rd Infantry Division (Operations, Plans and Training) (Worzburg); and Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver, 3rd Infantry Division (Schweinfurt). The 3rd ID was organized at that time as a heavy mechanized division. He also served as Assistant Chief of Staff, G3 (Operations, Plans and Training), VII Corps (Stuttgart). Shinseki served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Support, Allied Land Forces Southern Europe (Verona), an element of the Allied Command Europe.

From March 1994 to July 1995, Shinseki commanded the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. In July 1996, he was promoted to lieutenant general and became Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, United States Army. In June 1997, Shinseki was appointed to the rank of general before assuming duties as Commanding General, Seventh United States Army; Commander, Allied Land Forces Central Europe; and Commander, NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shinseki became the Army's 28th Vice Chief of Staff on 24 November 1998, then became its 34th Chief of Staff on 1999-06-22. Shinseki retired on 11 June 2003 at the end of his four-year term. His Farewell Memo contained some of his ideas regarding the future of the military.

Shinseki is the only Japanese American and Asian American to be promoted to the Army's top position and being the first four star general of Asian descent in the US military.

Shinseki has served as a director for several corporations: Honeywell International and Ducommun, military contractors; Grove Farm Corporation; First Hawaiian Bank; and Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. He is a member of the Advisory Boards at the Center for Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and to the U.S. Comptroller General. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Atlantic Council of the United States, and the Association of the United States Army.

On December 7, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama announced at a Chicago press conference that once in office, he would nominate Shinseki to become the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

End of Tour Memorandum - 10 June 2003 - Abridged From 12 Pages

After 38 years of service to this great Nation, I shall depart the Office of Chief of Staff, Army on 11 June 2003 and retire from the active ranks on 31 July 2003. I feel duty bound to provide some of my closing thoughts concerning The Army, the Department of Defense, and the security of the United States. In doing so, I follow a precedent that goes back to at least the retirement of Matthew B. Ridgway in June of 1955. I offer these comments in an attempt to be helpful to the Department of Defense in addressing near-term threats around the world while transforming to meet future, but yet unknown, challenges.

Much has been written and said about the supposed ill will that exists between the Office of the Secretary of Defense ("OSD") and The Army. For my part, I would say that much too much has been made of all that - the making of national defense policy and the critical decisions associated therein are not for the thin-skinned or faint of heart who are insecure in their public image. I am also secure in the knowledge that recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have demonstrated the Army's readiness to handle a broad range of missions on short notice and revalidated its critical role in the Nation's defense.

I would like to quote Ridgway's description of the role of a military advisor:

He should give his competent professional advice on the military aspects of the problems referred to him, based on his fearless, honest, objective estimate of the national interest, and regardless of administration policy at any particular time. He should confine his advice to the essentially military aspects.

I would also like to quote then Army Chief of Staff, General Dwight Eisenhower, on the same subject, when testifying before Congress in 1947: 

I appear before you only as a professional soldier, to give you a soldier's advice regarding the national defense. I am not qualified to proceed beyond that field; and I do not intend to do so. It is my duty as a Chief of Staff to tell you gentlemen what I believe to be necessary for national security.

Over my four-year tenure as The Army Chief of Staff, I have attempted to live up to the precedents established by men who have held this office. Once a new Secretary of the Army is in position and a new Chief of Staff is nominated and confirmed, I would expect that the new Chief would continue the tradition of providing his best military judgment and advice.

Again, it has been my proud privilege to serve with America's finest men and women over the past 38 years. It has also been an honor to conclude my service to this great Nation as the 34th Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

This Month's Almost Not Commented on Story -- Maybe A Change Is Coming, Maybe.

VA PHYSICIAN TELLS OF UNDERFUNDING, UNDERSTAFFING, LOW MORALE, PATIENT DIVERSION -- VA claims a record budget, but if the funds don't get to the hospitals then veterans receive inadequate care. How many times have I written this? Underfunding leads to understaffing leads to inadequate care. The VA is the best healthcare system in this country... when you can get the care... if you can get the care. But, let's not take out our anger on the VA healthcare workers. It starts at the top. The White House always requests too little for the VA. The VA brass goes along with this, give or take a few dollars. Then, Congress goes along with this, give or take a few dollars. In all fairness, Congress has added some much needed funding in the last two years... but, most of that funding is for OEF / OIF veterans and the programs they need. What the VA needs is a huge shot of cash. And, the other thing they need is to get rid of the VISN (Veterans' Integrated Service Network) system. The VISNs (regional directors) are just a group of middle-managers that hand money and information to the hospitals and clinics. They are not needed. They are an impediment to good care and suck huge amounts of money out of the system to fund their operations. A harsh 'look' at what is happening... all over the country.

This Month's 'Life's View:'

Withdrawn patient in the North Little Rock Hospital for war veterans is undergoing occupational therapy by means of psychological tests, in this case he needs to join three sticks together, but is feeling disparaged. July 1952 - Photographer: John Dominis.

My Hicksville Trivia: January 1971 / 2009. Returning to Hicksville near the end of December 1970, I spent my first New Years at my parent's home in six years. While I don't recall exactly what I did New Year's Eve, I do recall some cold weather and my night-time walking-excursions around the Town. Mid-Island Plaza, Broadway, the small set of stores just west of the corner of Kuhl and West John Street... memories. And while six years now seems like just a drop in the bucket -- New Years Day 2003! -- when those six years include your 18th through 23rd years, they were anything but. Sure wish I could still get around the way I got around those thirty-eight years ago. Then again... don't we all. Hope your New Years Eve was anything but trivial.

My Toon's Talk: It's called Toonlet. It can be found at (http://toonlet.com/). I must warn you, it can be an addictive time wa..., er, time consumer. And for no other reason that I can, here's one:

Lest We Forget: Currently there are (at least) 5,231 (16 more since last month) Veterans of Modern Warfare who no longer will be "asking" our government for a dime . . .

Till next month be well... and remember, "Let No Veteran Ever Stand Alone!"

Memory Lane

Dutch Lane Elementary School third grade class photo (1952-53).  I think the teacher's name was Mrs. Bocheri (not sure of the spelling).  This was the year that Dutch Lane  school was opened.  I am in the far left hand corner with the bow tie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sixth grade (1956) at Dutch Lane School.  Mr. Abt was 
the teacher.  His brother was Hicksville Superintendent of Schools.   After 
spending a year in grade 5 at Nicholai St. School, students returned to 
Dutch Lane School in the new addition. I am sitting 2nd from the front in 
the 2nd column from the left hand side. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the 1960 Wrestling Team.  Mr. Roberts was the coach. 
I am 5th from the left hand side on the front row. 
 
Bob Siegel, 1962 (VA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

Class Photo Dutch Lane Elementary Kindergarten Class 1955 morning 
session with Miss Langdon

Left to right in First Row: ?, Jack Walsh, Steve Mallow[itz], ? , ?
, ? , Frank Flynn, Ken Kagen

Second Row:  ? , Wendy Eberhardt, Kathy Seif, Gail Roseman, ? , ? , 
Jim Rubins, Debbie Fields (standing), Marie Celentano

Back row sitting: Virginia Christenson, Karen Kozak, Kevin Bailey, 
Janet Murtha, Doug Young, ? , Margaret Quick, Jan Shenda, Miss Langdon

Please send additions/corrections to Jim Rubins    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

 

 

Class Photo Dutch Lane First Grade 1956 Mrs. Tobaison

Front row seated:  ? , Chris Bauer, Jan Shenda, ?

Second row: ? , Gail Roseman, Kathy Seif, Margaret Quick, Karen Kozak, 
Wendy Eberhardt, Debbie Fieldson

Third row:  Marie Celentano, ? , Virginia Christensen, Susan,  ? , ? , 
Janet Murtha,

Fourth Row:  Jack Burke, Kevin Bailey, Doug Young, Jim Rubins, Ken 
Kegan, Steven Taylor, ? 
 
Additions/corrections to Jim Rubins '67   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

 

All three above submitted by Jim Rubins, '67 (CA)

---

Lee Avenue had a graduation day called Moving Up Day where all the 6th grader's "graduated" to junior high school. Below is the commencement brochure, members of the 6th grade class, and a picture of me and Marion Winant at the ceremony.

Bill Dylewski in San Diego

 

 

---

East Street School

This would be the HHS class of '69' - Jeff Rowohlt

Photo 1534 East St kindergarten 1957
Me 2nd from right. back row (bow tie) Nick D' Agostino left of teacher (tallest) Dennis Inkpen far left back row front row right: Jeannie Kaplan Diane Straub Sheryl Israel ? Fay Sue finkelman Jeannie Connolly Alice ? on end
Photo 1536 East St 2nd Grade 1959
Me 2nd from right. back row Patrick Dowling left of me in back row Thomas Flanagan Chris O'Neil Dennis Inkpen Girls: Sue Finkelman, Diane Straub, Roberta Giordano
- Tim Long

Photo 1532 east St 3rd grade 1960 Me back row on left (chequered shirt) John Fundus next to me Nick D'Agostino right of teacher Chris O'Neil next to him next row down Tim Long far right  Alex Gambereri 3rd from right Jeannie Connolly far right Fay next to her Denise Eisele 3rd row center Diane Straub 4th row center

In Memoria

Thomas Fellenz 

Classmates,

I just received a phone call from Tom's wife Anita, Tom passed away on October 26th. Anita said she and Tom enjoyed the reunion in 2005 and that Tom was looking forward to the 2010 reunion. Say "HELLO" to Grace and Dot for me. Grace and Dot made it all possible and will be putting together the 2010 reunion.       If you would like to send a note or card to Anita, her address is  below. 

3224 Hermit Way 
Santa Rosa, CA 95405 

Art Lembke, '49

---

The newsletter has been informed that Bobbi Layne, '73 passed away a few years ago.

---

Robert H. Dierker Jr. [class of 1962]

DIERKER - Robert H., Jr., lifetime Hicksville resident, joined his parents, Robert Sr. and Margaret, in Heaven December 5, 2008. Bobby was very much adored by his sister, Sue (Mike) Roach, and favorite nephew of Edward and Marge Moir, David and Dominique Moir, Elizabeth Watt, and Janie and John Hoolahan. His special charm and unique sense of humor will be greatly missed by the dozens of cousins he loved and the many, many wonderful friends he gathered around him throughout his all-too-short life. Family and friends may visit at the Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Homes, 125 Old Country Rd., Hicksville, on Sunday 6-9pm and Monday 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral Mass 9:45am Tuesday at St. Ignatius Loyola RC Church, Hicksville. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Coram, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hicksville Public Library.

Published in Newsday on 12/6/2008

Bob,

Thanks for the message for the class of '62 about Bob [Dierker].  I had sent out notices to all the e-mail address I had.  We were able to reach many of the class of '62 who were able to attend Bob's wake.  

His sudden illness and death has really left a void. No longer will I laugh out loud sitting alone at my computer reading the latest witticism Bob has sent. For all his quiet manner, he was indeed one of the most humorous people I have known.  

---

We had also received word that Ruth Harding Bongiovanni passed away recently.  Ruth had been living in Albany.  I had been in touch with her when we had our Class of '62 mini reunion in Oct. 2007.  She wasn't able to attend then because our party here in Hicksville was scheduled for the same day as her mother's 90th birthday party. Ruth was a very strong stage presence in high school. Our condolences go out to her family and friends as well. 

The newsletter has been wonderful in helping us keep in touch with so many people.  Please also remind everyone that we are also trying to keep a current list of Class of '62 e-mail addresses so we can get news out fast. If they change their server or their address they need to let us know too. 

Thank-you, 

Karen Hubner Jenkins, Class of '62

---

This obituary appeared on October 28, 2008 in the Albany Times Union.

Ruth Bongiovanni

Bongiovanni, Ruth ALBANY Ruth Bongiovanni, 63, of Albany passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at St. Peter's Hospice. She was born in Maryland on January 24, 1945. She was the daughter of Virginia Wood and the late Harvey Harding. She graduated Hicksville High School in 1962 and Fredonia State in 1966. She started working for NYS as a social worker in 1969 and progressed through the state, specializing in Medicaid eligibility until retirement, where upon she worked as an independent consultant for various states. She was also an active member of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. Survivors include her mother, Virginia Wood of Roanoake, Va.; sister, Fay (James) Antalek of Stuyvesant, N.Y.; brothers, Harvey (Kathy) Harding of Fla., Robert (Patricia) Harding of Long Island, N.Y., and Lawrence (Regina) Harding of Va.; she also leaves behind several nieces and nephews; and her special friend, Charles Tedeschi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, 125 Eagle St., Albany. Relatives and friends are also invited to call, Wednesday, 4 to 8 p.m. at the Frederick Funeral Home, 633 Central Ave, Albany, NY, 12206. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, the American Diabetes Association, 7 Washington Square, Albany or the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.

Casale's Corner

HICKSVILLE TIDBITS JANUARY 2009

O'Brien Elected Fire Commissioner

Gerard "Jerry" O'Brien defeated seated Fire Commissioner Charles Hearon in an election held on December 9th. Votes polled for O'Brien, 670. Votes for Hearon, 618.

Jerry O'Brien will be sworn in at the fire district's reorganization meeting on January 6th, 2009.
Hicksville School District Audit
Results of a Hicksville School District audit found no violations or illegal activity. During a 22 month period that started in July of 2006 and ended in April of 2008, it was determined that procurement of goods and services was handled in a stellar manner.

Additionally, it verified that purchases were made, goods were received and claims were processed as authorized. It was also determined that Requests For Proposal (RFPs) were solicited by the district and that payments were made according to contractual terms.

The Controller's audit maintained the district, however, did not use "prudent business practices" when they paid over 2.7 million for services without using a competitive bidding process.

---

Oyster Bay Town Mulling Over Parking Garage Options

It has been recommended that the site where the Oyster Bay parking garage was demolished over the summer on Newbridge Road, on the corner of Duffy Avenue, near to the Hicksville train station, should be used. You may remember the garage was closed in June when cracks were found in structural support "T" beams.

The proposed structure would cost $40 million. The structure would have a brick face with a 10 foot ceiling that would accommodate 1,400 vehicles. Additionally, the proposal calls for the construction of a solid south side wall and a screened top level along with a pedestrian bridge over Duffy Avenue.

Many Hicksville residents do not support the proposal. One resident suggested building a parking garage in Syosset or Woodbury. "There are train stations there," the resident suggested.

---

Hicksville Firefighter Dies Helping Friend

FDNY firefighter Thomas Orlando, 45, of Hicksville narrowly escaped death while rescuing people on 9/11 only to die seven years later while helping a friend. Orlando died after a fall while installing solar panels on his friend's Hicksville home.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and two children, Meghan and Thomas.

A funeral mass was held at St Ignatius in Hicksville and internment was at Holy Rood in Westbury.

---

False Alarm At Red Lobster

On November 26th, the Hicksville Fire Department responded to a report of an explosion on the roof of the Red Lobster on North Broadway, adjacent to the Sears parking lot.

Upon arrival, Ladder #931 set up in the parking lot. Two firefighters checked the roof area while others checked inside. No fire was found.

A problem with the alarm system may have caused the alarm to go off.

---

County Law Prohibits Texting, Emailing While Driving

Last month, the 19 member Nassau County Legislature unanimously passed Local Law No. 11-2008 prohibiting text messaging and/or emailing while driving within the county.

Studies have shown that texting while driving is extremely dangerous and that motorists who engage in this activity are a danger to themselves and everyone else on the road.

This ruling takes effect December 27th. A similar law was passed in Suffolk in May of 2008.

According to a Liberty Mutual Insurance Group study, instant and text messaging while driving leads the list as the biggest distraction while driving amongst teens. The test was conducted using 900 teens from 26 high schools nationwide.

---

1st Lieutenant Voley Martin Deployed To Iraq

Hicksville High School graduate Voley John Martin left the states on November 22nd to join his unit in Iraq. Martin attended Stetson University in Florida for two years before returning to New York and earning a degree from Cortland.

Martin completed flight training in the Blackhawk Helicopter at Fort Rucker, Alabama and is a member of the 42nd Aviation Battalion which is based out of Macarthur Airport.

Family, friends and fellow neighbors are proud of Voley's many accomplishments, including his band, Bulletproof Messenger, which recently began working on their second album.

Please keep him in your prayers.

---

Neighbor Rescues Woman From Burning Home

The upstairs tenant in a home located on Wishing Lane escaped the burning house and ran to the house next door. Michael Muth was asleep and the pounding on his door awakened him. This was at about 6am in the morning. The tenant said the house next door was on fire.

According to Muth, the home was engulfed in flames and smoke and he was told the elderly owner was still inside. Muth rushed toward the burning structure. He kicked in the front door and entered the burning house all the while fighting back severe smoke. Muth found the woman lying unconscious on the kitchen floor. With the assistance of off-duty correction officer Kevin Imm, the pair was able to get the woman safely out of the burning structure.

She was transported to Nassau County Medical Center by the Hicksville Fire Department Ambulance. She was treated for smoke inhalation and released.

The fire was contained by the Hicksville Fire Department with assistance from Bethpage.

---

THIS MONTH'S HUMOR FROM PAT KOZIUK DRISCOLL

---

TRIVIAL PURSUIT

1. Who cast himself as the lead in Deconstructing Harry after Robert DeNiro and Dustin Hoffman rejected the role?
2. What type of reaction results from heating hydrogen to 180 million degrees Fahrenheit in a tokamak?
3. What nasty nickname did NFL tackle Anthony McFarland get stuck with?
4. What art-rich Russian city saw a tenfold increase in art thefts from 1992 to 1997?
5. What Las Vegas entrepreneur woke up safe in the knowledge that Mike Tyson lived in the estate next door, in 2001?
6. What U.S. state has nature areas named Gumbo Limbo, Blowing Rocks and Ding Darling?
7. What European golfer became the LPGA's all-time career money leader in 2001?
8. What restaurant chain was sued in 2001 for promising a contest-winner a Toyota but delivered a "toy Yoda"?
9. What Harry Potter arch enemy is often referred to as "you know who"?
10. What formula one driver made $59 million in 2000...$6 million more than Tiger Woods?

I would like to start a Recipe of the Month Column for several reasons.

Beginning next April, Ted Swedalla (class of '64) and me, Buffalo Bob Casale, are planning a bike trip from Florida to Maine. Ted is going to do the hard part...the pedaling. I am going to stay ahead of him in my motor home and set up camp. When he arrives, I will have prepared dinner.

So, it will be nice for me to have lotsa recipes sent to me by our alumni so I can be prepared.

Thanks

Love Yah